Yannick Bolasie believes his horrific knee injury can help him elevate his game.

The Lyon-born winger was sidelined in December after just 14 games for Toffees after moving from Crystal Palace last summer.

The 26-year old is set to be out of action for another six months, but he is choosing look at his injury as a positive.

"Getting back in December would be the best Christmas present," he told The Mirror. "A player like me always wants to be on the pitch.

"When I looked at the videos of the injury – before I got the ­results – you think it is only something small. But, for some reason, I had a feeling this injury was going to be long-term. I've had two ­operations, but that was the plan.

"Strangely, I think that having this injury will give me the ­composure that I have been ­looking for. I know that will take my game to another level. I am going to be subconsciously more cautious with any sharp movements, but that should improve my game massively.

"My old managers – Alan Pardew and Tony Pulis – always felt I would gain more ­composure with age. Now I have had this injury, I think it will come, but I don't think I will lose my pace or my sprinting – and I feel strong already."